Oregon State Bar Family Law Section Professionalism Award NOMINATION FORM Awarded for years of integrity and service to the profession. Past Award Recipients 2011 Ronald E. Hergert 2015 Paul J. DeBast 2016 Michael Yates 2017 Eric Larson Screening and Selection Criteria Any member of the Family Law Section, except a member of the Family Law Executive Committee ( FLEC ), is eligible to receive this award. Former nominees may be renominated. Members of the FLEC Professionalism Award Screening Sub-committee may not submit nominations but may encourage others to submit nominations. The recipient should exemplify, not simply meet, professionalism that goes beyond the observance of the legal profession's ethical rules and serves the best interests of both clients and the public generally; fosters respect and trust among lawyers and between the bar and the public; promotes the efficient resolution of disputes; and makes the practice of law more enjoyable and satisfying. The award is intended to recognize and honor personal and professional qualities, reputation and conduct. Leadership activities and service, while probative of professionalism, are not considered key in the screening and selection process. Pro bono service will be considered in the screening process. The recipient should serve as a role model for other attorneys, particularly younger FLS members. Because the award recipient should serve as a role model, an appreciation of diversity in the nomination and selection processes is important. The FLEC recognizes the important contributions of all lawyers - men and women, minorities, those in public/government practice, in-house or private practice, solo or large firm practitioners, trial lawyers and nonlitigators. The attached form is intended to give the committee information about your nominee. You may find that you have limited information in certain areas. That is expected. The committee does not expect a long narrative from you but rather a concise narrative about your nominee.
*** Nomination form on following page *** To nominate an individual for the award, please complete and return this form. You may be contacted, confidentially, for more information on your nominee. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on May 1 by the FLEC Professionalism Committee. NOMINEE Company/Firm In a few paragraphs, describe the nominee s attributes of professionalism (if additional space is needed, attach a letter to this form). If possible, please attach any other sources of information, such as the nominee s resume or letters of recommendation by those qualified to speak of nominee s character (i.e. opposing counsel, judges or current/past co-workers). While not required, it will assist the Professionalism Sub-Committee in making its decision. Name of nominator References: 1. Name Phone number Phone number 2. Name Phone number o This is a re-nomination. Please see prior nomination form. (You may be contacted by the FLEC Professionalism Sub-Committee to provide additional updated information.)
*** Standards and Guidelines on following page *** Standards and Guidelines for Selection of Oregon State Bar Family Law Section Professionalism Award I. ELIGIBILITY Any active attorney member of the Family Law Section, except current members of the Family Law Executive Committee ( FLEC ) is eligible to receive this award. Former nominees may be re-nominated. II. SCREENING AND SELECTION CRITERIA As described in Section III: (1) FLEC and the screening subcommittee are responsible for screening nominees for the Professionalism Award and recommending a list of finalists to FLEC; and (2) FLEC shall select the recipient of the award from the screening subcommittee's recommended finalists. The screening subcommittee shall apply the following criteria. The recipient should: A. Exemplify professionalism that exceeds the standards set forth in the ethical rules; B. Demonstrate exemplary relations with clients and the public; C. Promote trust and respect with colleagues and the public; D. Promote efficient resolution of disputes; and E. Make the practice of law enjoyable for those around him/her. The award is intended to recognize and honor personal and professional qualities, reputation, and conduct. Leadership activities and service within the bar or the community in general, while probative of professionalism, should not be considered key in the screening and selection processes. III. NOMINATION, SCREENING AND SELECTION PROCESS A. Nominations 1. Nominations must be in writing and should describe the nominee s qualifications using the above criteria. 2. FLEC shall begin soliciting nominations as soon as reasonably possible through announcements in the FLS newsletter, Family Law List Serve, and through any other relevant OSB publications. 3. All nominations shall be submitted to the FLEC screening subcommittee by no later than May 1 of each year. B. Screening & Selection Process 1. The screening subcommittee shall consist of at least two members of FLEC. 2. The screening subcommittee shall meet a minimum of two times prior to the June FLEC meeting that is held in Salem. During the first meeting, the screening subcommittee shall review the nominations for the current year only.
3. The screening subcommittee shall use the Screening Criteria Questionnaire to guide their research to ensure that they obtain information about each of the selection criteria for each of the nominees. Using the information obtained from the nominations (including, as appropriate, finalists in prior years) as a starting point, the screening subcommittee may contact judges before whom candidates have appeared, opposing counsel, counsel with whom they have negotiated, and/or other pertinent sources. In addition, the screening subcommittee shall contact the Oregon State Bar's Regulatory Services Division and the Professional Liability Fund regarding all candidates identified as potential finalists for the award. The screening subcommittee shall compile their research on the Screening Criteria Questionnaire for FLS Professionalism Award Nominees. 4. All information gathered by the screening subcommittee shall be confidential, and sources shall be given appropriate assurances of confidentiality. In addition, except as provided below, the screening subcommittee's discussions and deliberations shall be confidential. 5. By no later than June each year, the screening subcommittee shall report its recommendations to FLEC. The report shall include up to three names of nominees whom it recommends as qualified and deserving of the award and a written summary of the research that details how the nominee meets each of the award selection criteria. 6. The full Committee shall discuss the screening subcommittee report and recommendations at its June meetings and select a recipient by September of each year. 7. The FLEC meeting minutes shall convey the results of the selection and may briefly describe the Committee's deliberations. 8. FLEC shall announce the recipient of the Professionalism Award by September of each year and the presentation will be made at the next Family Law Conference.
Family Law Executive Committee Screening Criteria Questionnaire for Oregon State Bar Family Law Section Professionalism Award Nominees In an effort to gather uniform and unbiased information about nominees and following the Standards and Guidelines for Oregon State Bar Family Law Section Professionalism Award, members of the Family Law Section Professionalism Award Selection Sub-committee shall use this template when conducting further research of nominees. Information shall be entered in this form and forms will be circulated to the members of the screening committee. This information shall be treated as confidential. 1. Nominee s name and firm/company name. 2. Is the nominee an active attorney member of the Family Law Section? 3. Nominee s years of practice. 4. List names of judges, opposing counsel, counsel with whom the nominee has negotiated, or other pertinent sources who have been contacted regarding the nominee (and their relation to the nominee.) 5. How does this nominee exemplify professionalism that goes beyond the observance of the legal profession's ethical rules and serves the best interests of clients and the public in general; it fosters respect and trust among lawyers and between lawyers and the public, promotes the efficient resolution of disputes, and makes the practice of law more enjoyable and satisfying. 6. List information about the nominee s pro bono service. 7. List information about how this nominee is a role model for other attorneys, particularly younger attorneys. 8. List the nominee s leadership activities and service within the bar or the community (while probative of professionalism, these factors should NOT be considered key in the screening process.) 9. As the award recipient should serve as a role model, an appreciation of diversity in the screening process is essential. Are there any diversity factors that should be considered? 10. Contact the Oregon State Bar s Regulatory Services Division regarding this nominee and list all pertinent information. 11. List any other relevant information that the committee should consider.